HOW TO APPLY FOR CERTIFICATION - TRACK B
Becoming a Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) involves a clear set of steps to support you from eligibility and training through application, examination, and certification. The process is designed to uphold the values of peer support while helping applicants successfully navigate each stage of certification. If you are choosing the Track B option, please follow the steps below to apply.
STEP 1: MEET ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Applicants review the CPSS eligibility criteria, including lived experience, education requirements, and any required documentation, to ensure they are eligible to apply.
- Be 18 years or older.
- Have lived experiences and are in recovery from a serious mental illness (SMI) and/or substance use disorder (SUD). Applicants with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders must be in recovery from BOTH to qualify for certification. View the application denial policy.
- Must be in recovery for at least EIGHTEEN (18) months from all SMI and/or SUD before training and certification.
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
STEP 2: REVIEW TRACK B
- Applicants review the certification information for Track B. This ensures that applicants complete the required steps for certification.
- View TRACK B – Approved Courses ($350-$450) on the Find Certification Training page.
STEP 3: PREPARE TO APPLY
- Applicants must gather the following documents for Track B
- Ethics Training: Certificates for at least 3 hours of required Ethics Training.
- Additional Training: Certificates for 17 hours (training related to mental health, substance use, or other related areas. A college transcript can be used if the course is related).
- Proof of Education: Copy of a high school diploma, or its equivalent (official college transcript can be used).
- Copy of certificate of completion for an Approved Course.
STEP 4: APPLY
Applicants must apply ONLINE
- Create an account on the PSS website.
- Pay the non-refundable application fee.
- Complete the application form.Select “I have completed my 50-hr training and will upload my certificate”.
- Upload all required documents (20 hours of additional training, including 3 hours of required ethics training, proof of education (official college transcript for courses in mental health, substance use, human services, etc.).
- Upload a copy of the certificate for an approved course.
- Request two reference letters while completing the application form by adding their emails.
STEP 5: APPLICATION REVIEW
Application review completed by the NCCPSS Program staff.
- If the application is incomplete, the Program staff will contact you for any missing information or to update your application.
STEP 6: DECISION
The NCCPSS program staff make the final decision:
- If approved, Track B will be issued a peer support certificate.
- If not approved, the applicant will be sent a letter to that effect. View the Denied Application Policy.
HELPFUL THINGS TO NOTE
RECIPROCITY: The NCCPSS Program does not accept certification from other states. Thus, the Program does not have reciprocity with other states regarding certification. CPSS from other states MUST meet the certification requirements to process their NC certification.
APPLICATION PROCESSING TIME: Please note that due to the high influx of applications, the processing time depends on whether the application is complete. Incomplete applications will delay the process. To check the status of your certification/recertification, you can visit the Credential Verification page and search for your name to verify.
APPLICATION EXPIRATION: Applicants unable to complete their certification within six (6) months of beginning the certification process will have to resubmit their application (provide all documents needed for certification) as a new certification.
DESIGNATION/SPECIALIZATION: Applicants interested in the Military designation may review the information under the requirements for the required documentation. Other designations (such as COAPS) require applicants to be a CPSS before completing training for that designation.